Are alcoholism/ drug addiction really diseases?

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I have been watching Celebrity Rehab on VH1.

I am starting to believe that alcoholism/drug addiction are mental weaknesses. I have been around drug users/alcoholics, and most of the people are just mental midgets.

I understand that there is a physical component, but I am not buying it is fully a physical discorder.

you are not buying that it is a disorder because it isn't.

I think the reasoning is that if they think it's not they're fault, they won't feel guilty and won't be depressed

but if something is your fault, that means you possess the ability to fix it. if it was truly some kind of illness, therapy and willpower would not be able to cure it.

telling them that it isn't their fault is counter-productive.

As with anything that is not your fault, it is still your responsibility to deal with it.

so I don't see how it is a 'get out of jail free pass'.

You realize that a great many people believe that your Autism is nothing more than an excuse for being weak? That social anxieties and hypersensitivity to stimuli and all those other things that fall under ASD are the whinings of a p*ssy, who just needs to man up and deal with the world same as everybody else.

I spent my entire life up until two years ago hearing "You're legs ain't broke" and "Can't never could" and being shoved into situations where I was brutalized and humiliated and ultimately failed because I simply wasn't equipped to function the same way everyone else was expected to. Oh, I tried - they threw me in and I attempted to swim because I was not allowed a choice. And I failed, over and over because I simply could not do the things they expected me to do. I didn't know why. But I was painfully aware of my limitations. Then, after four decades of desperately trying to stay afloat in a world where I never really belonged, somebody gave me an explanation that fit every single difficulty I'd been having all that time. It wasn't my fault it wasn't a personality defect. It was a brain dysfunction beyond my control. And all the admonitions to "get over it" and "just deal with it", are never going to give me abilities I was born without.

I saw one of those intolerant, self-righteous right-wing SPAM emails yesterday blustering about how drug addiction is not an illness because the addict chose to put the first dose of the drug into his/her body, it didn't just fly up their nose on a crowded bus. Ha-ha.

But one might consider what other difficulties might lead one to such psychological and emotional pain that one seeks solace in something that numbs the mind and deadens the agony of trudging through life imprisoned in a world where bigots and bullies abuse you constantly for not being exactly like they are? If that's not your experience, then good for you. But your judgmental intolerance only makes you just like those people who are convinced your AS is just a ruse to evade responsibility.

I think it's certainly possible to be more prone to addictions than others. Some would call this a mental weakness. That doesn't mean a person is to blame, though. They tend to not attempt to stop until it's hard to quit.

when the body dosn't process the alcohol in the same way that others safely and without incident do, then it is more than just 'will power' at issue.

no its not a physical disorder its self inflicted though eventually it seems to mimic one sometimes alchol and substance abuse is because of an underlying problem normally because of abuse or problems with their lives in general.

basically its a mental weakness because of an inability to accept or cope with something

it is the body getting use to having these feel good drugs (like nicotine for instance), and when it is lacking what amount it likes, it gets mad or makes you crave it. simple as that

Watch Intervention, that show explains drug addicts really well. It is a disease, but it's not like cancer and stuff like that. Drug addicts are manipulate and will take you for anything you have if they're actively using. They either need to go to rehab or you need to stop contact with them. Enabling them just makes everything worse.

I think there are different reasons why people become addicts. The answer lies in the brain. Some people have a vulnerable neurochemistry and components in their brain not working properly. Others experience abuse which can cause trauma which has been shown to damage the nervous system an parts of the brain, also making people more vulnerable to addiction.

My question is what kind of simpleton seeks solace in toxic chemicals? I don't mean occasional use but I have very little sympathy for junkies and drunks. Humans are innately strong and flexible we evolved on a very hostile planet. To yield to such fruitless temptations speaks of deep weaknesses which no amount of taxpayer funded aid can really help. Ultimately it comes down to deciding to die either metaphorically or otherwise and deciding to struggle along and survive.

Besides for as long as I can remember images of what happens to people who indulge themselves to heavily permeates every for of media. Wouldn't someone with a touch of common sense pick up on the correlation? Besides those "right wing spam emails" are ultimately right. Take responsibility for what you've done to yourself rather than blaming circumstances.

Utherdoul, I don't agree with you that humans are strong, and adapted to a hostile planet. On the contrary, we're very weak. We are a herd species that seeks comfort in the crowd, which is why most humans are so prone to peer pressure. And rather than evolve to fit into a hostile planet, we changed the planet (to it's long term detriment, I might add.) We're certainly a very clever species, but I wouldn't say strong.

No. They're addictions.

But a lot of diseases come with them - especially over time.

There's a balance.

There is a documented predisposition to addictive behavior, but addiction ultimately comes from a choice....to start and to seek help to stop.

The mind of an addict believes that what they are doing is helping them. After taking these drugs, the mind gives you a fix of dopamine, and whatever else. Constantly giving you a need to do it again. That is where the thought of disease comes into play. It is degenerative, and the mind believes it is not, so it rewards you to do it again. If a drug made you feel like crap, and the mind gave you no reward, you would not take it anymore. The mind would recognize it as a poison, and reject it with no reward. Some people are addicted to jogging. For the same reason, only the effects are positive. Unless of course you loose all the cartilage in your legs and blow your knees out. Then it may be more like a disease.

Kevin
I have not read the rest of this thread so I am not sure if what I am about to say has already been covered. I am just responding to you and your initial posit.

I take great offense at your characterisation of drug addiction. From the age of fifteen I was an habitual cannabis user and then for three years into my early twenties I was a heroin addict, I challenge you to demonstrate that I am in any way a "mental m***et".

Drug addiction has many elements but essentially I believe there are two main elements one very physical and the other, I believe, is an emotional/metal disorder (not to be confused with mental retardation or for that matter that most judgemental of all sayings 'lack of willpower' or as you characterise it 'a person with the mental capacity of a midge'- Yes, just in case you are wondering that is exactly what "mental midgets" describes. Once you have dealt with the brain malfunction or the source of emotional torment the physical addiction is relatively easy to defeat.

When people question the validity of acute brain illnesses I wonder if they would question The Flu, or Pancreatitis, and tell the person they are just being weak and get over it or how about more chronic brain illness such as long term depression. I rage inside when people suggest that someone should just 'get over it and move on'. Would they do the same for heart disease?

I am of the generation that for the most part did not have the benefit of an ASD diagnosis. I found out 5 years ago.The torment I went though as a kid was something I would not wish on my worst enemy, is it any surprise that I self medicated, that I immersed my hurting brain in euphorics and tranquilisers. Fortunately I came through, I managed to survive and get off the drugs, and have had a life that until my understanding of ASD I described as "going through life life a wrecking ball".

Since my DX I have been able to stop the constant suicidal ideation brought on by the consistent f***s ups in my life, which I can now understand and explain. I have learnt about my disorder and made changes in my social approach to life for the betterment of all.

So next time you describe as "a mental m***et" a person in such emotional distress that they self medicate, you need to stop and think about you base judgement.

Above all Kevin you need to stop getting your knowledge from pulp tv, that way you might sound less ignorant regarding the topics you choose to discuss.